Don't forget to join us across our social media channels where we'll bring you all the matchday build-up, in-game updates, and post-match reaction as the Saddlers return to action.
PRE-MATCH VIEWS
After earning their first win of the season last weekend via a well-deserved triumph over Stockport County, the Saddlers' worrisome start to the season resumed in midweek with a dismal defeat to Wrexham.
Despite goals from Chris Hussey and an overly generous Anthony Forde, the Red Dragons scored four goals of their own and with it earned their first win since they made their recent return to the EFL.
Though these are still very early days in the 2023/24 campaign, we're less than convinced by how the team is performing in games, and feel the gaffer's recent claims that the signing of one more defender would see his transfer business come to an end, we feel a few more fresh faces would give the team a better balance in places which have little or no cover.
Whilst the current squad is filled with both experience and potential, there is still room for improvement, especially when you consider our already hefty injury list and the very real potential for it to be added to over the course of a busy campaign.
Whether the manager decides to add more than one player to his squad, there is little doubt that the team has to do better in all areas, with games already allowed to drift away, and, with nothing but fine margins separating the teams, it could only take the odd tweak or two to make a major difference in the team's drive to battle for promotion.
WALSALL TEAM NEWS
The Saddlers will be without Priestley Farquharson, Rollin Menayese, Jack Earing, Brandon Comley, and Tom Knowles as they continue to work their way back to full fitness after suffering a variety of injuries and issues.
OPPOSITION NEWS
After drawing their opening two league games - as well as defeating Sunderland in Round One of the Carabao Cup - Crewe earned their first league win of the season in midweek as they defeated Newport County 4-2, with former Exile Mickey Demetriou grabbing two goals to send his old team home pointless.
The Alex's duo of draws were not without incident as the twice bounced back from two-nil down to take deserved points, and will no doubt be looking to retain their unbeaten start as they welcome Mat Sadler and his side to Gresty Road at the weekend.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
There have been seventy-six competitive meetings between Walsall and Crewe Alexandra, and it's the Saddlers who hold an overall Head-to-Head lead, having won on thirty-one occasions, compared to Alex's twenty-five, whilst the spoils have been shared on some twenty occasions.
Their first meeting was a League Division Two match which took place at the Alexandra Recreation Ground on Saturday, 5th November 1892, and saw the sides engage in a goal-fest which Walsall Town Swifts won by six-goals-to-five.
Walsall would remain undefeated for the next six meetings between the two, with Crewe's first win not arriving until Saturday, 22nd April 1922 as they won two-nil at the original Gresty Road.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting between the two took place at the Mornflake Stadium on Saturday, 15th April 2023, and saw the Railwaymen win two-nil as first-half goals from Rod McDonald and Chris Long saw the home side take all three points.
Joss Labadie was also sent off in the second-half, adding to the Saddlers' woes.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL has confirmed that Sam Allison, who is based in Wiltshire, will be the man in the middle, whilst Andrew Dallison and Daniel Woodward have been named assistant referees. Matt Corlett will act as Fourth Official.
GAMES OFFICIATED
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2
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YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
12
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PENALTIES AWARDED
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0
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CATCH THE MATCH
If you're not planning on going to the game you can catch the match via the club's in-house service - iFollow Walsall - which takes you through the highs and lows of every Saddlers game.
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